Blackhaw is a large, suckering, native shrub or small tree in the muskroot family that matures at a slow rate to 15 feet tall and nearly as wide. It provides 3 seasons of interest and is a high-value wildlife plant. The spring flowers are in large white cymes and the fall leaf color is in reds and purples. Berries mature to purplish-black and are eaten by both humans and birds. Viburnums set fruit better with more than one shrub for pollination. The genus name comes from the Latin name of a species plant. The species name refers to the similarity of the leaves to the Black Cherry (Prunus) . The common name comes from this plant's similar appearance to hawthorns. Blackhaw prefers full sun or partial shade and medium to dry moisture in well-drained soils. It will grow in deep shade but will rarely bloom without sun. It is a hardy plant, adaptable to various soil types and pHs, tolerates cold winters and periods of drought. Because buds for next year's blossoms form in the preceding summer, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. This is a great shrub for naturalized areas or can be used as a hedge or specimen. Blackhaw does well in urban conditions and can be pruned to a tree form. While typically rounded, lighting conditions can cause irregular growth. The root system is a branching woody taproot. Unlike some species of Viburnum , the Blackhaw trunk is crooked with spreading branches and the fragrance of its flowers is sweet and pleasant. While Viburnum are generally pest and disease free, the Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center does have a factsheet on possible pests and diseases. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Irregular; Multi-stemmed; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The ovate glossy leaves are 3 to 4 inches long and 1 inch across with fine serrations and a pointed tip. They turn a showy red to purple in the fall.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Four to five inch clusters of small, white, strongly fragrant flowers appear in May and June. Individual flowers are 5 petaled and 1/4 inch across with long yellowish stamens.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
1/3 inch oval fruits are a mixture of green, yellow, and red-pink that transition to blue-black at maturity and are attractive to wildlife (especially birds). Display from September to October. Inside each drupe, there is a single stone (a seed with a hard coat) that is flat on one side and convex on the other. The drupes are sweet and edible, although somewhat thin-fleshed because of their stones.
Bark color
Black; Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is brown-gray and smooth in youth, but rough with flat-topped plates and gray-black with age.
Stem color
Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Twigs are smooth, gray, and relatively thin
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Distribution
New York and Connecticut south to Georgia, west to Texas and north to Illinois.
Wildlife value
It is a host plant for Spring/Summer Azure butterflies. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, squirrels and chipmunks. Its twig form provides shelter to wildlife.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds